{"id":18487,"date":"2024-09-05T10:16:08","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T10:16:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria\/"},"modified":"2024-09-05T10:16:08","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T10:16:08","slug":"basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria\/","title":{"rendered":"Basilica di Santa Caterina d\u2019Alessandria"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Among the quiet streets of Galatina is a treasure of art and spirituality that preserves centuries of history. Imagine crossing the threshold of a forgotten time: the <strong>Basilica di Santa Caterina d\u2019Alessandria<\/strong> is like a portal that transports you<strong> into the heart of the Middle Ages<\/strong>. Its walls, frescoed with a vivacity that defies the passing of centuries, tell stories of saints, knights and human passions. Every brush, every detail, from the frescoed ceiling to the imposing naves, speaks of devotion and art, making this place not only a reference point for the faithful, but also a must-see destination for anyone who wants to discover the <strong>authentic heart of Salento<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>In this article we will look together the<strong> history of the Basilica di Galatina<\/strong> and give you all the <strong>info to visit it<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18344 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-galatina.jpg\" alt=\"basilica di santa caterina d&#039;alessandria galatina\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-galatina.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-galatina-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-galatina-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-galatina-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>General information<\/h2>\n<p>The Basilica di Santa Caterina d&#8217;Alessandria in Galatina is a <strong>jewel of Apulian Romanesque and Gothic architecture<\/strong>. <strong>Built between the fourteenth and fifteenth century by Raimondello Orsini del Balzo,<\/strong> the basilica stands on the ruins of a previous Byzantine church. Its construction was inspired by a pilgrimage of Raimondello to Mount Sinai, during which, according to legend, he obtained a relic of the saint: a finger. This precious relic is still kept in the church today. The building, after the death of Raimondello, was completed by his wife and son, and in 1992 was elevated to the rank of Minor Pontifical Basilica. The basilica, with its frescoes and rich history, is one of the main artistic and religious attractions in Puglia.<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LkjjDL5dyX4?si=1_sNcDK5t2w2397p\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>History of the Basilica of Saint Catherine<\/h2>\n<p>According to tradition, the building was founded between 1369 and 1391, as mentioned, at the behest of Raimondo Orsini del Balzo, but some scholars believe that it could be the result of an expansion or a transformation of an existing structure with two bays. This hypothesis is based on the morphology of the portal and the capitals of the pillars of the first three bays, which seem to belong to an era before the fourteenth century. Also a fresco of the &#8220;Madonna della Mela&#8221;, commissioned by Lucia d&#8217;Altavilla before 1299, suggests that part of the current facade may be older than you think. As a result, the date engraved on the lintel of the left portal may not be correct. It is more likely that the building was founded by Raimondo\u2019s uncle, Raimondo del Balzo, who became count of Soleto in 1319.<\/p>\n<p>However, tradition attributes the project to his nephew Raimondello, who, during one of his return journeys from the crusades, went to Mount Sinai to pay tribute to the body of Saint Catherine. According to legend, kissing the hand of the saint, he took a finger with his teeth and brought it to Italy as a relic, now preserved in the church. After the death of Raimondello in 1405, the building was completed by his wife, Maria d&#8217;Enghien, and his son, Giovanni Antonio Orsini del Balzo.<\/p>\n<p>The current Basilica di Santa Caterina d&#8217;Alessandria stands on a Byzantine church from the 9th-10th century, still visible in the external wall of the right aisle, where the apse has been incorporated, probably to save materials.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18340 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria2.jpg\" alt=\"basilica di santa caterina d&#039;Alessandria2\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Style of the Church of Saint Catherine Galatina<\/h2>\n<p>The Basilica di Santa Caterina di Alessandria, <strong> one of the most fascinating churches in southern Italy<\/strong>, stands out for its architecture and frescoes. Its unique style is born from the <strong>combination of Romanesque and Gothic elements<\/strong> that intertwine without ever merging completely. This style, known as <strong>Pugliese Romanesque<\/strong>, has roots in the Romanesque, with Byzantine and Gothic influences, the latter with traces of Norman.<\/p>\n<p>The first Romanesque churches had a quadrip\u00f2rtico, which in time was reduced to nart\u00e8ce and then to pr\u00f2tiro. The walls, thick and sturdy, had few openings and the windows, rare and deep, were very wide. The columns were replaced by pillars, while the vaults could be barrel vaults, cruising vaults, sails or, in some more primitive cases, lacunars. The facades, finally, could have only one cusp with lateral slopes, or three cusps, with the central cusp higher than the lateral ones.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18348 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria.jpg\" alt=\"facciata frontale basilica di santa caterina d&#039;Alessandria\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria.jpg 800w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandria-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Interior of the Basilica di Santa Caterina<\/h2>\n<p>The interior of the Basilica is majestic and imposing, with <strong>five naves<\/strong> ending in apses. The two aisles act as ambulatories. The central aisle, 50 meters long, is wider and higher than the side aisles, dominating them visually. From it you can access the ambulatories, and from there to the side aisles through three large arches with a low pointed. Beams of seven polystyrene columns divide the central nave into three bays, while the presbytery and the apsidal choir are separated. The corners of each span are beveled by beams of three columns each. The larger column holds the main arch, while the others support ornamental ribs that divide the vault into sails. The fourth span, which today corresponds to the presbytery, was the apse of the original church, elevated above the rest. The columns supporting the ribs of the sails are surmounted by capitals, but lack of ornamental ones. All these surfaces are covered with numerous <strong>frescoes that constitute a pictorial cycle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18354 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/santa-caterina-d-alessandria-basilica.jpg\" alt=\"affreschi santa caterina d alessandria basilica\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/santa-caterina-d-alessandria-basilica.jpg 800w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/santa-caterina-d-alessandria-basilica-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/santa-caterina-d-alessandria-basilica-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/santa-caterina-d-alessandria-basilica-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Frescoes of the Basilica di Santa Caterina d&#8217;Alessandria<\/h2>\n<p>The interior of the church is a real museum of frescoes. <strong>Walls, pillars, arches and vaults are entirely decorated with wall paintings<\/strong> commissioned by Maria d&#8217;Enghien during the first half of the fifteenth century. For a detailed analysis of these frescoes, you can consult the volume &#8220;<em>Gli affreschi di Galatina<\/em>&#8221; by Msgr. Antonaci. The frescoes are organized in various<strong> cycles of paintings<\/strong>, arranged according to their location within the church: from the cycle of the Apocalypse to the entrance, to the cycle of Genesis and Christology in the central bays, The Marian cycle in the right aisle and the hagiographic cycle, present in various parts of the church. In addition, the cardinal and theological virtues are represented in the first span. Among the other frescoes are those of the choir, the apse, the side ambulacri and the left aisle. The influence of Franciscan thought, with the vision of human history as a story of God\u2019s love, is evident throughout the work. <strong>The Basilica of Galatina, for the richness of its pictorial cycles, is second only to the Basilica of San Francesco d&#8217;Assisi.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18352 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-galatina.jpg\" alt=\"affreschi basilica galatina\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-galatina.jpg 800w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-galatina-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-galatina-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-galatina-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Prices and times Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria<\/h2>\n<p>If you are planning a <strong>visit to the Basilica of Saint Catherine in Alexandria<\/strong>, here is some useful information to make your experience more enjoyable.<br \/>\nThe Basilica is open every day from 8.30 to 12.30 and from 16.00 to 18.15. <\/strong> <strong>On Sundays and public holidays, you can visit it from 11.00 to 12.30 and from 16.00 to 18.15. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Please note that visits are suspended during pastoral activities, so I recommend you check in advance the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basilicaorsiniana.it\/chiusura-visitas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>list of scheduled events<\/strong> <\/a>to avoid inconvenience.<\/p>\n<p>If you visit alone, you can enter without reservation. If you are part of a group and would like to <strong>visit Santa Caterina in Galatina<\/strong>, you must <strong>book in advance on their website<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Reservations can be made up to 24 hours before the desired time for the visit.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18350 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandriagalatina.jpg\" alt=\"rosone verticale basilica di santa caterina d&#039;Alessandriagalatina\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandriagalatina.jpg 800w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandriagalatina-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandriagalatina-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/basilica-di-santa-caterina-dAlessandriagalatina-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Where is it and how to get there<\/h2>\n<p>The Basilica di Santa Caterina d&#8217;Alessandria is located in Galatina, a town in the province of Lecce, and you can quickly reach it by accessing the historic center from Via Orsini.<\/p>\n<p>Getting to Galatina is just as easy, since the town is connected quite well to Lecce and other towns in Salento.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>To <strong>reach Galatina by car:<\/strong> from Lecce follow the west ring road and then take the exit S.S. 476 for Galatina.<\/li>\n<li><strong>By train<\/strong>: You can take a train of the Ferrovie Sud Est (FSE) from Lecce to Galatina, and the journey takes about an hour. Consult the timetables on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.trenitalia.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.lefrecce.it<\/a><\/strong> to plan your trip. <\/li>\n<li><strong>By bus:<\/strong> There are buses that leave from the <strong>Palazzetto dello Sport di Lecce<\/strong> and take you to Galatina. During the winter, there are also school buses that make the route. For details on timetables and stops, take a look at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fseonline.it\/s\/? language=it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.fseonline.it. <\/a><\/strong>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-18342 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/galatina-basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria.jpg\" alt=\"galatina basilica di santa caterina d&#039;alessandria rosone\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/galatina-basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/galatina-basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/galatina-basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/galatina-basilica-di-santa-caterina-dalessandria-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Among the quiet streets of Galatina is a treasure of art and spirituality that preserves centuries of history. Imagine crossing the threshold of a forgotten time: the Basilica di Santa Caterina d\u2019Alessandria is like a portal that transports you into the heart of the Middle Ages. Its walls, frescoed with a vivacity that defies the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":18345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_glsr_average":0,"_glsr_ranking":0,"_glsr_reviews":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-attractions"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18487"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18487\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/villeinsalento.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}